Roy's research focuses include the internationalization and globalization of higher education, philanthropy and fundraising in institutional advancement, and college retention and degree attainment rates of low-income, first-generation students at 4-year public research universities. His current work leverages quantitative methods to examine the effects of institutional and governmental policies on student postsecondary access and success, particularly in the areas of financial aid designed to increase persistence and degree attainment rates for traditionally underrepresented populations in college promise programs. Specifically, Roy has conducted a longitudinal study using data from the Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH) to understand the impact of a statewide financial aid policy (15 to Finish initiative) on the academic outcomes of Indiana 21st Century Scholarship recipients between 2011 and 2014 at IUB and IUPUI. Roy is an active member of AEFP, APPAM, ASHE, AERA, CIES, NASPA, and NAFSA.